In search of a monument 2024 Mixed media, clay, voice Commissioned by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi for the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial 2024–2025 Load na Dito (slang for mobile top-up) is a curatorial and research initiative founded by Mayumi Hirano and Mark Salvatus in 2016 that explores spaces for knowledge sharing. In search of a monument (2024) centres on FLEX, a talking and listening game they created in 2019. Players exchange stories, stretching the meaning of words based on feelings and values, leading to spontaneous connections. The accompanying installation inspired by Abu Dhabi’s ubiquitous gift shops repurposes an existing store downtown as ‘FLEX* STORY SOUVENIRS’, where workshops take place. Colourful clay shapes made by participants while playing the game become symbolic souvenirs or monuments representing shared experiences and are displayed on wooden shelves in the shop.
Curated by Reem Fadda, Mona Aljadir and Carmen Hassan
FLEX Facilitators: Carlos Alejandro, Stepie Tadros and Rawad Raidan
Thank you to Galit Eliat
